Chapter 30: Do you actually intend to marry that small-time, ninth-rank petty official?

After attending to Old Madam Ling during her afternoon nap, Xiao Ming returned to her meditation room and slumped onto the daybed, while Chun’er and Qingzhu gathered around to rub her shoulders and massage her legs.

"Miss, did you catch a glimpse of the prospective groom?" Chun’er asked.

"I did."

Qingzhu smiled and pressed further, "What did you think of his appearance?"

Xiao Ming recalled the moment. Li Yuan was in his early twenties, of average height, and possessed a refined, elegant air; there was certainly nothing to find fault with. Yet, for some reason, she felt a hollow sensation in her heart, as if something were missing between them.

Perhaps it was simply because they were strangers; it would get better as they got to know each other.

Having spent the day climbing the mountain, offering incense, and meeting a potential husband, Xiao Ming drifted off to sleep while leaning against the headboard.

When she was awakened by Chun’er, the sun was already slanting toward the west.

"Take your time to wake up, Miss. It is almost time for dinner. By the way, the Second Miss and the Fourth Miss came to look for you earlier. Seeing you were asleep, they said they would come back later."

Xiao Ming, still half-asleep against the soft pillows, was having her hair combed by Qingzhu when she heard this, and she immediately perked up. "Why did they come looking for me?"

It would not have been strange for Huaixi to visit, but Ling Huaining was a different matter. While not exactly an enemy, Huaining was a high-born noble lady who, despite occasionally defending Xiao Ming for the sake of the Ling family’s reputation, generally looked down upon her as the daughter of a mere merchant.

"Sister Xiao!"

Huaining had a booming voice, and before she even entered the room, her voice carried inside. "We finally managed to get out of the Ling residence, yet you’re still sleeping? You might as well go back to that cage; at least you could sleep more comfortably there."

Xiao Ming quickly scrambled off the bed, greeted her two sisters with a bow, and replied with a playful smile, "I was caught in the rain a while back and sprained my ankle, leaving me ailing for several days. I could understand the Fourth Miss being too delicate to visit, but why are you chasing me away even in front of the Buddha?"

"As if I would dare to visit you!" the Fourth Miss retorted with a sneer. "Grandmother is always thinking of you, and Eldest Brother has sent you plenty of medicine. Doesn’t it make no difference whether we visit or not?"

"Alright, alright," Huaixi said, poking Ling Huaining on the forehead with doting indulgence. "When will you ever grow up? You were the one who dragged me here, so why are you picking a fight the moment you see your Sister Xiao?"

The group burst into laughter. Suddenly, Ling Huaining turned serious. "I snuck down the mountain today and saw a private villa halfway up. There is a century-old apricot tree inside. After making some inquiries, I learned it used to be an imperial garden before being bestowed upon the Duke of Korea. The villa has a mountain spring that flows down from Nanshan Temple. More importantly, I heard they are hosting a 'Curving Stream Banquet' the day after tomorrow."

Unlike the small-scale birthday or poetry gatherings organized by ladies, these banquets held by noble sons in the capital were much grander, and this specific one was being hosted by Han Yi, the eldest son of the Duke of Korea.

Because the villa was imperial property, it was originally reserved only for royalty and nobility. However, as the government now placed great importance on the imperial examinations, many civil officials in the capital came from humble backgrounds, so scholars of modest origin without official titles were also permitted to attend.

"This banquet has nothing to do with us. What are you getting at, Fourth Miss?" Xiao Ming asked, feeling bewildered.

Huaining looked at her meaningfully. "Don't tell me you actually want to marry that ninth-rank small-time official?"

Xiao Ming was stunned, her porcelain-white face flushing a deep crimson. "You’re still so young—what is this talk of marriage? Don't you feel any shame saying such things?"

"I would certainly be ashamed in front of Grandmother or my mother!" Huaining said with a serious expression, her clear eyes fixed on her. "But right now, it’s just the three of us sisters, so of course I’ll say what is on my mind."

"Stop speaking in riddles and explain yourself clearly," Huaixi urged.

Huaining sighed softly. "I am unwilling for Sister Xiao to marry the third son of the Li family. So, while nothing is settled yet, why don't we find a way to sneak into the banquet and let Sister Xiao take a look at those other young gentlemen?" She glanced at Huaixi, raising an eyebrow. "Second Sister, you should take a look for yourself, too."

As if they had heard something earth-shattering, Huaixi and Xiao Ming cried out in unison.

Huaixi, gentle, quiet, and well-versed in etiquette, was the first to wave her hand in objection. "My heavens! Enough with this nonsense! If we were discovered, not to mention the lashes we’d get from your father, what would become of our reputations as young ladies?"

Xiao Ming chimed in from the side, "The Li family is your relative, after all. We know their roots, and they were personally chosen by Grandmother. He must be a good man."

Huaining let out a resentful huff. "The path for us women is so narrow. Our entire destiny is tethered to one future husband. One wrong step and a lifetime is ruined. Marriage is a major life event; are you really going to gamble the next few decades of your life on that third Li son just because of one word from Grandmother?"

Xiao Ming bit her lip and remained silent. For her, it was indeed a high-stakes gamble.

"If he were a man of talent, that would be one thing. But what if he is a good-for-nothing? Would you then use your own dowry to buy him another ninth-rank post? Sister Xiao may be inexperienced, but Second Sister, do you not understand the gravity of this?"

Both of their gazes shifted to Huaixi, causing her to blush and quickly change the subject. "Whether I understand or not, I don't want to think about it. Who says a woman must marry? I would rather become a nun."

Huaining wanted to continue her persuasion, but she felt Huaixi nudge her with an elbow. Huaining sighed with frustration at their lack of resolve, then looked at Xiao Ming with a stern expression. "I used to be biased against you, seeing how Grandmother favored you—an outsider—and thinking you were just another merchant's daughter chasing fame.

"But today, seeing the timid, shifty-eyed behavior of the Li family’s mother, I realized how callous Grandmother truly is. Even if she doesn't mention it, everyone knows the Xiao family did the Ling family a great service. Consider this me repaying that debt for the Ling family. I simply cannot bear to see you married off so recklessly."

Xiao Ming met her sincere gaze, and she could not help but be moved.

"But even if you speak with the tongues of angels, my origins are what they are..." Xiao Ming fidgeted with her handkerchief, muttering, "I fear that even if I were to catch someone's eye, there would be no outcome. It is better to just become the legitimate wife of Li Yuan."

"That is exactly where you are wrong," Huaining countered. "You cannot choose your birth, but you still have a chance to fight for your choice of a husband. In the coming decades, do you want a husband who treats you with sincerity, or just the title of a 'legitimate wife'? If you are the legitimate wife but he favors his concubines and neglects you, will you truly be happy?"

Xiao Ming was stunned by these words, rendered momentarily speechless.

"If you have reservations about the sons of princes and dukes, there will also be scholars from the Imperial Academy the day after tomorrow," Huaining said, taking Xiao Ming's hands and speaking earnestly. "Most of those scholars come from humble backgrounds and are proud, preferring not to marry ladies of the nobility, but as favorites of the Emperor, they are far superior to Li Yuan! Sister, you are a rare beauty; why not give yourself another chance?"

Hearing this, it would be impossible not to be tempted.

"But this banquet is for men only. As women, it is difficult enough just to get inside, let alone 'take a look' at anyone."